Hello all, I desperately need guidance about meditation...
I have been following the Gnosis London lecture series on YouTube, so I have come to understand how fundamental meditation is. I have been taking it more and more seriously. I was hoping someone could help me address the following issues:
(1) I usually lay down (sitting in lotus position hurts my back) and take three very deep breaths, holding each one for about 5 seconds each, and slowly exhaling. I inhale and exhale through my nose. After laying still for a while, I begin to feel the calmness in my extremities, almost as if they are getting heavier and heavier. But this technique is effective only sometimes. Am I preparing my body correctly? Is there another way to "put the body to sleep"?
(2) I am not sure what to do in meditation itself. The Gnosis London videos suggest choosing a mantra and focusing solely on that. I have chosen "Trin" to help develop my intuition. So I literally repeat this mantra over and over in my mind, trying to make it my only thought. When other thoughts enter, I attempt to erase my mind like a chalkboard and immediately go back to the mantra. The thoughts keep attacking, and I keep trying to push them out and resort back to Trin. Am I doing this properly? Are there any techniques anyone can suggest to assist this process, or is it just going to be difficult until I practice more? I guess I just want to know I am doing it right...
(3) I can't seem to get past ten or fifteen minutes before I have an impulse to check the time or open my eyes. I hate this, as I know it's counterproductive. Any suggestions? Will this improve with consistent practice as well?
Also, I was just wondering if it's recommended or not recommended to meditate with music or white noise (fan, air conditioner) in the background?
ANY help is very very much appreciated. I want to accomplish this more than anything, so ANYTHING that anyone can suggest or propose is truly welcomed. Thank you so much!
I have been following the Gnosis London lecture series on YouTube, so I have come to understand how fundamental meditation is. I have been taking it more and more seriously. I was hoping someone could help me address the following issues:
(1) I usually lay down (sitting in lotus position hurts my back) and take three very deep breaths, holding each one for about 5 seconds each, and slowly exhaling. I inhale and exhale through my nose. After laying still for a while, I begin to feel the calmness in my extremities, almost as if they are getting heavier and heavier. But this technique is effective only sometimes. Am I preparing my body correctly? Is there another way to "put the body to sleep"?
(2) I am not sure what to do in meditation itself. The Gnosis London videos suggest choosing a mantra and focusing solely on that. I have chosen "Trin" to help develop my intuition. So I literally repeat this mantra over and over in my mind, trying to make it my only thought. When other thoughts enter, I attempt to erase my mind like a chalkboard and immediately go back to the mantra. The thoughts keep attacking, and I keep trying to push them out and resort back to Trin. Am I doing this properly? Are there any techniques anyone can suggest to assist this process, or is it just going to be difficult until I practice more? I guess I just want to know I am doing it right...
(3) I can't seem to get past ten or fifteen minutes before I have an impulse to check the time or open my eyes. I hate this, as I know it's counterproductive. Any suggestions? Will this improve with consistent practice as well?
Also, I was just wondering if it's recommended or not recommended to meditate with music or white noise (fan, air conditioner) in the background?
ANY help is very very much appreciated. I want to accomplish this more than anything, so ANYTHING that anyone can suggest or propose is truly welcomed. Thank you so much!
Accepted Answer
Loofa wrote:Firstly, I am unfamiliar with those lectures, so I do not know what they are teaching there.
Hello all, I desperately need guidance about meditation...
I have been following the Gnosis London lecture series on YouTube, so I have come to understand how fundamental meditation is. I have been taking it more and more seriously. I was hoping someone could help me address the following issues:
(1) I usually lay down (sitting in lotus position hurts my back) and take three very deep breaths, holding each one for about 5 seconds each, and slowly exhaling. I inhale and exhale through my nose. After laying still for a while, I begin to feel the calmness in my extremities, almost as if they are getting heavier and heavier. But this technique is effective only sometimes. Am I preparing my body correctly? Is there another way to "put the body to sleep"?You are able to sleep at night or to nap? So do the same thing. Just relax, but retain awareness, and do not fall asleep. This takes skill and practice.
(2) I am not sure what to do in meditation itself. The Gnosis London videos suggest choosing a mantra and focusing solely on that. I have chosen "Trin" to help develop my intuition. So I literally repeat this mantra over and over in my mind, trying to make it my only thought. When other thoughts enter, I attempt to erase my mind like a chalkboard and immediately go back to the mantra. The thoughts keep attacking, and I keep trying to push them out and resort back to Trin. Am I doing this properly? Are there any techniques anyone can suggest to assist this process, or is it just going to be difficult until I practice more? I guess I just want to know I am doing it right...We have several courses on the website about meditation. They provide a thorough overview of the steps, and suggest practices. Yet, primarily, what they attempt is to explain what each technique is for, so that you are educated enough to know how the techniques work together.
(3) I can't seem to get past ten or fifteen minutes before I have an impulse to check the time or open my eyes. I hate this, as I know it's counterproductive. Any suggestions? Will this improve with consistent practice as well?Relax deeper. Remember, relaxation is not just of the body, it is also of the heart (emotion, mood) and intellect (thoughts). Ultimately, however, do not pressure yourself into taking on more than you can do. Fifteen minutes of working on these skills is a good start. Work with what you have, do your best, and keep trying. Meditation is a very deep science that takes years and years to understand.
Also, I was just wondering if it's recommended or not recommended to meditate with music or white noise (fan, air conditioner) in the background?We recommend learning to meditate in absolute silence. Music often keeps our awareness in the physical world, which is not what we want. Further, one has to learn how to concentrate no matter what is going on in the physical world. I know people who meditate well, relaxed and concentrated, in the middle of noisy concerts, crowded events, parking lots, shipping centers, etc. So, do not let external things be an excuse.
ANY help is very very much appreciated. I want to accomplish this more than anything, so ANYTHING that anyone can suggest or propose is truly welcomed. Thank you so much!Study the books of Samael Aun Weor, and the courses and lectures on this site. There are truly years and years worth of material here.
Finally, come to a retreat. At the retreats we host, we teach how to integrate your studies into a practical methodology that bears fruit. Most of the retreat is focused on meditation.
If you are fortunate enough to attend one, you will have a chance to practice with other students and talk to instructors directly.
“Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes.” —Demosthenes
"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." —Samael Aun Weor
"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." —Samael Aun Weor
Loofa wrote:
Thank you so much for the reply, it really helps tremendously. Where can I find information about attending a retreat - pricing, location, time, etc?
This section of the site has details on upcoming retreats:
http://gnosticteachings.org/retreats.html
Thank you so much for the reply, it really helps tremendously. Where can I find information about attending a retreat - pricing, location, time, etc?
Accepted Answer
Loofa wrote:Firstly, I am unfamiliar with those lectures, so I do not know what they are teaching there.
Hello all, I desperately need guidance about meditation...
I have been following the Gnosis London lecture series on YouTube, so I have come to understand how fundamental meditation is. I have been taking it more and more seriously. I was hoping someone could help me address the following issues:
(1) I usually lay down (sitting in lotus position hurts my back) and take three very deep breaths, holding each one for about 5 seconds each, and slowly exhaling. I inhale and exhale through my nose. After laying still for a while, I begin to feel the calmness in my extremities, almost as if they are getting heavier and heavier. But this technique is effective only sometimes. Am I preparing my body correctly? Is there another way to "put the body to sleep"?You are able to sleep at night or to nap? So do the same thing. Just relax, but retain awareness, and do not fall asleep. This takes skill and practice.
(2) I am not sure what to do in meditation itself. The Gnosis London videos suggest choosing a mantra and focusing solely on that. I have chosen "Trin" to help develop my intuition. So I literally repeat this mantra over and over in my mind, trying to make it my only thought. When other thoughts enter, I attempt to erase my mind like a chalkboard and immediately go back to the mantra. The thoughts keep attacking, and I keep trying to push them out and resort back to Trin. Am I doing this properly? Are there any techniques anyone can suggest to assist this process, or is it just going to be difficult until I practice more? I guess I just want to know I am doing it right...We have several courses on the website about meditation. They provide a thorough overview of the steps, and suggest practices. Yet, primarily, what they attempt is to explain what each technique is for, so that you are educated enough to know how the techniques work together.
(3) I can't seem to get past ten or fifteen minutes before I have an impulse to check the time or open my eyes. I hate this, as I know it's counterproductive. Any suggestions? Will this improve with consistent practice as well?Relax deeper. Remember, relaxation is not just of the body, it is also of the heart (emotion, mood) and intellect (thoughts). Ultimately, however, do not pressure yourself into taking on more than you can do. Fifteen minutes of working on these skills is a good start. Work with what you have, do your best, and keep trying. Meditation is a very deep science that takes years and years to understand.
Also, I was just wondering if it's recommended or not recommended to meditate with music or white noise (fan, air conditioner) in the background?We recommend learning to meditate in absolute silence. Music often keeps our awareness in the physical world, which is not what we want. Further, one has to learn how to concentrate no matter what is going on in the physical world. I know people who meditate well, relaxed and concentrated, in the middle of noisy concerts, crowded events, parking lots, shipping centers, etc. So, do not let external things be an excuse.
ANY help is very very much appreciated. I want to accomplish this more than anything, so ANYTHING that anyone can suggest or propose is truly welcomed. Thank you so much!Study the books of Samael Aun Weor, and the courses and lectures on this site. There are truly years and years worth of material here.
Finally, come to a retreat. At the retreats we host, we teach how to integrate your studies into a practical methodology that bears fruit. Most of the retreat is focused on meditation.
If you are fortunate enough to attend one, you will have a chance to practice with other students and talk to instructors directly.
“Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes.” —Demosthenes
"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." —Samael Aun Weor
"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." —Samael Aun Weor
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